Rangatahi were rearing to go as PTC Trust brought solar panels to their school ground. Professor Brent was able to share insights, knowledge and experience with the future of solar power. According to Brown and O’Sullivan (2019) ‘the increasing urgency of climate change mitigation necessitates rapid deployment of zero-emissions electricity generation resources - such as hydroelectric generation, nuclear power, and variable renewable energy (VRE) sources such as solar photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), and wind’.

In 2023, New Zealand has experienced first-hand the devastating effect of climate change via the damaging effects of cyclone Gabrielle. News reports described that Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence having numerous persons in emergency accommodation, with as many as 2000 people seeking shelter in hubs and evacuation centers due to the devasting cyclone. With access to electricity cut off, due to damaged power lines and stations, NZ has an urgent need to seek alternative solutions now.

The need is just as urgent in NZ as it is in Zimbabwe. According to the Context News ‘as Zimbabwe's grid struggles with increased electricity demand, including as new housing projects are added, the government is emphasising the need for renewable energy and for thermal solar water heaters in homes and buildings’.

As the PTC workshops continue to empower youth in the use of solar power, our hope is to produce youth that are future-minded and more resilient, capable of responding to the climatic changes we will experience in the future.